The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1887-03-12
TRU: MANHOOD.
Why Changes of Opinion Are Necessary t.
True Mental GroWth.

True Mental Growth.
A great mistake is often made in sup
posing that consistency requires a uni.
form simplicity. Men utter opinions,
or give voice to feelings, honest and
sincere. and thus worthy OF Prospect, but
time, bringing with it different circum.
stances and different experience, may
also bring other standpoint, and better
mental ability; hence both thought and
feelings may undergo changes and be
no longer what they were in times
past. For this people often blanc
themselves, and are blamed. charging
themselves and being charged with in.
consistency. ''See how inconsistent
he is, for he said such and such things
last month or last year. is oft,
en- heard in condemnation. and
the offender is fl cquently sad and
ashamed. conscious that he must adj.
nit the charge. Sometimes also the
dread of being thus judged will lead
men to conceal Or misrcpresent their
real sentiments, The fear that they
may contradict something they have
once uttered will keep them silent
when to speak is a duty, or will lead
them out of the path Of straightfor.
ward sincerity when it is most needed.
1t would be very much to the benefit
Of all concerned if it were recognized
that change and consistency are by no
means Incompatible. The principle
of life includes that of growth, and all
growth is indicated by change. The
entire history of the plant, from the
tiny seed swelling in the soil to the
full luyuriance of blossom or fruit, is
one OF change in growth, and is thus,
ana only thus. Il consistent whole.
The life of the human body, from frail
infancy to sturdy manhood, is one con.
]tinUous series of changes, each Of
which is needful for its perfection.
If this be so in all life, why should an
exception be made in the life of the
mind and the heart? Certainly, if this
may not change. the very center of all
life itself must be suspended. 1t will.
however, be conceded that the changes
mental growth from early life to ma
turity are rightful and needful. Every
one expects that the MAJ will correct
and put away his childish errors and
but that manhood and woman
hood should still change conviutions,
altar opinions and have varied feelings
is still deemed inconsistent. Yet who
shall set the limits outside of which the
mind Of man shall cease to grow, and,
therefore, to change? Why should it
be natural and consistent at one period
Of life and unnatural and inconsist-
ent at another? The truth is, that as
as any one keeps himself mentally
and vigorous, he must change; that
8, he must discover new truths and
see old ones in new lights; and while
he faithfully preserves whatever of
value he has gained, it will assume diff
.erent forms in his sincerest and most
thoughts. This. and not the
luiescent state of mind that neither
nor grows, is true mental con-
1t is quite true that all change is not
growth, that much of ii is mere fickle-
less, weakness, rcstlessness. Some
nllidS yield to every varying impulse
influence, and are continually os-
'illating without making any steady
progress. They are inconsistent with
he law ct their being, for they arc
lot struggling upward, but simply flut.
ering in the wind. Another kind Of
inconsistency, and one still more com.
non, is that between theory and prac.
ice-betwecn knowing and doing.
There are, perhaps, none who, upon
election, would not have to plead
,uilty to this charge. In some, indeed,
discrepancy is so great that all
perceive it, and are forced to esteem
hem accordingly, while others are
MY accused by their own conscicnces.
-Pl{nTeInbin Ie6oer